Top talents, or “rainmakers”, are sought after globally. These top talents not only bring their individual personal skills, experience and expertise with them, but also usually their entire supporting ecosystem. They are rarely content with just reaching the pinnacle of their careers and often focus on cultivating and nurturing future generations of like-minded talents.
The awarding of Public Service Star to Sir James Dyson is an example of how Singapore has attracted a top talent who has contributed significantly to Singapore’s development. The move of Dyson’s global headquarters to St James Power Station in Singapore is a win for Singapore’s economic development and hopefully an opportunity to groom and nurture Singapore’s future engineering talents.
To enhance Singapore’s attractiveness to top talent, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has introduced the Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass (ONE Pass). This new pass is different from the existing employment passes as it is a personalised pass meant for top talent in business, arts and culture, sports, science and technology, and academia and research.
Here’s what the new Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass (ONE Pass) entails and how to apply for it.
Read Also: Guide To Work Passes In Singapore: Work Permits, S Pass and Employment Pass (EP)
ONE Pass Is The Most Flexible Work Pass Option In Singapore
The Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass (ONE Pass) is unlike the regular Employment Pass as it is a personalised pass tied to the individual.
The individual will be able to concurrently start, operate and work for multiple companies at any one time. There is also no need to reapply for a new pass if the talent chooses to change employers.
| ONE Pass | PEP | EntrePass | Employment Pass | |
| Target Candidate | Top talent in business, arts and culture, sports, science and technology, and academia and research. | High-earning Employment Pass holders or overseas foreign professionals. | Eligible foreign entrepreneurs who are keen to operate a business in Singapore that is venture-backed or possesses innovative technologies. | Foreign professionals, managers and executives with a job offer in Singapore who meet the eligibility criteria. |
| Salary Criterion | At least $30,000 | At least $22,500 | Not stipulated | Minimum $5,000 and increases with age |
| Application | Candidates can apply directly | Candidates can apply directly | Candidates can apply directly | Employer applies on behalf of candidate |
| Pass Duration | 5 years | Up to 3 years | 1 year | Up to 2 years |
| Renewal | 5 years | No. | 1 year for first renewal, 2 years for subsequent renewals | Up to 3 years. Possible 5 years for experienced tech professionals with skills in shortage |
Under ONE Pass, they would also not be subject to Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS) and their employers will not be subject to the Fair Consideration Framework job advertising requirement.
This gives a lot of employment flexibility. However, to ensure that these flexibilities are utilised meaningfully, MOM will request pass holders to submit information on their professional activities over the year, and the annual salary earned from all professional activities. This would contribute to the assessment for renewal eligibility.
ONE Pass Is Targeted At Top Talents Who Earn At Least $30,000 Or Have Outstanding Achievements
The Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass (ONE Pass) is meant for top talent in business, arts and culture, sports, science and technology, and academia and research. Applications for this pass will start on 1 January 2023.
To qualify, applicants (existing work pass holders and overseas candidates) need to show that they meet either of the following salary criteria:
- Earn a fixed monthly salary of at least $30,000, or equivalent in foreign currency within the last one year.
- Will earn a fixed month of at least $30,000 under their future employer based in Singapore
For overseas candidates who are not existing work pass holders, they will need to show that they have been working for an established company (i.e., a company with market capitalisation of at least US$500 million or an annual revenue of at least US$200 million) overseas for at least 1 year or will be working for an established company in Singapore.
Top talents with outstanding achievements can also apply for the ONE Pass, even if they don’t meet salary criterion. Details on this will be released closer to 1 January 2023.
ONE Pass Can Be Renewed For 5 Years
The Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass (ONE Pass) is for 5 years and may be renewed for 5 years each time.
To be eligible for renewal, the ONE Pass holder must either:
- Earn a fixed monthly salary of at least S$30,000 on average over the past 5 years in Singapore, or
- Started and is operating a Singapore-based company that employs at least 5 locals, each earning at least S$5,000 (pegged to the EP minimum qualifying salary).
Typically, the Employment Pass (EP) duration is only for 2 to 3 years. This longer 5-year pass period for ONE Pass gives the individual talent (and their company/ employer) more certainty for their personal life and workforce planning.
This is the longest pass duration among EP, EntrePass, Personalised Employment Pass and ONE Pass. Aside from ONE Pass, EP applicants who fill specific tech occupations on the COMPASS Shortage Occupation List (SOL) may also be offered the option of a 5-year EP.
Read Also: Tech.Pass For Top Global Tech Talent: How It Differs From EntrePass And Employment Pass
ONE Pass Holders Can Also Bring In Their Family To Singapore
Just as a tree needs to be rooted, allowing talent to bring their family members is one way to support them. The ONE pass allows pass holders to bring in their family on Dependant’s Passes or Long-Term Visit Passes.
The spouse of the ONE Pass holder may also work in Singapore on a Letter of Consent.
With the ONE Pass, MOM is offering a flexible work pass that can cater to the range of professional activities that top talents may engage in without restricting them to a single employer or venture. By tying the work pass to the individual talent, these talents are free to engage in multiple ventures, share their expertise across multiple companies. This will further the dynamism amongst our top tier talent and increase Singapore’s human capital
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